We can't learn if we think we know too much to risk being wrong
"Sometimes I think we're such a dumb species, we don't deserve to survive on this planet."
Ellen Silbergeld, PhD (or was it necessary to add that last bit)
Ironically, I agree with the first phrase often-times, and think she's probably onto something with the research on drug-resistent bacteria. It's the "we don't deserve to survive on this planet" bit that makes me shake my head at the arrogance of some professors.
MB
Posted by
Douglas
at
11:42 PM
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* Respect each other
* Work to understand each other
* Carefully consider new ideas
We might find that we were wrong. We might change someone else's mind. Or, we might come to understand other perspectives better, and find unexpected common ground. If you desire respectful, thoughtful discussion on difficult issues, please join in!
3 comments:
I haven't read it all yet, but it looks like an interesting article, MB, thanks!
I agree with you. I assume Silbergeld's comment is just hyperbole to scare people, which itself is an arrogant and somewhat dubious strategy.
While it might seem like she's including herself in the "dumb species," I think she's basically saying, "I'm right, you're wrong, and you are going to kill us all!" -- because, relative to other species, we're not dumb, and what we deserve is either defined by what we get (her prediction thereof) or some sort of moral framework which I don't think she provides.
But... she's right to a some extent, which complicates matters. :) Reminds me a bit of AGW.
Kevin
Kevin,
Pardon my ignorance. What is AGW?
MB
Sorry, MB! :)
AGW = Anthropogenic Global Warming.
While there's some validity to the concern of AGW, there's also hyperbole galore intended to seriously scare people. It's not at all clear to me that such scare tactics are justified.
Kevin
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